Last week I was playing around with a Bible App which has been floating in web land for awhile now. I downloaded it to my Android phone over a year ago and have been using it as a Bible reader. I was looking for a way to extend some of our campus bible studies into the virtual realm so that more students could get involved even if they couldn’t physically attend our groups.
Once you sign up and login, you can search for our group (Journey 2:8 at UC) and then find the weekly bible study event. When you click on the event, Journey 2:8 Gathering, you will then see the passage of Scripture and theme we’re studying for the week along with questions, polls, and other resources. My hope is that we would create a bit of community online which might encourage all of us to spend more time reading and studying God’s Word.
Here’s a note I just posted about the Scripture we were dealing with last week.
Often, I come across passages of scripture that are familiar and have been quoted so many times that they almost lose their impact. Verses can become cliche and a simple platitude that we recite rather than a principle by which we live.
I’m afraid that has happened for me with several of these verses found in Philippians 4. As I’ve been steeping my heart, mind, and soul in this passage over the past couple of weeks, I’m gravitating to these three verse (6, 11, & 13) and sensing that God is trying to teach me more about thanksgiving, contentment, and Christ as Source.
Thanksgiving does not appear to be the natural human response to life’s circumstances, conflicts, and anxieties. Many times throughout the Story of God (scripture) however, we find this gesture being modeled or encouraged. And strangely enough I find that it is nearly impossible to be anxious, bitter, and stressed out while simultaneously being thankful for the many blessings that God has allowed into my life. With Thanksgiving Day just ahead of us this week, it is certainly appropriate to look at life through a lens of thankfulness.
Contentment seems to be my nemesis. I remember a few years ago that someone encouraged me during a time of transition to focus on contentment. It continues to be a lesson I’m learning, especially in terms of material things and financial provision. That is the context of Paul’s statement in v.11. He has learned to be content “whatever the circumstances.” Really?! Is that just something people say or actually believe and live? And how is that possible? Well, this so-called “secret” as Paul describes it probably has a lot to do with verse 13.
Strength/Source. This verse is one of those potential cliches which gets thrown around and plastered onto every possible context. 
I remember quoting this verse back in the weight room at college as I was trying to bench press a new max. I’ve seen it printed on the back of shirts while running in a marathon. I’ve heard it preached and applied to just about any challenging circumstance that people may face. Perhaps it applies in all these situations, but the meaning which Paul intended was originally connected to this real-life challenge of financial deprivation. Paul’s “secret” ability to thrive regardless of having much or very little is found in his connection with the Source of life, strength, help, peace, provision, grace, etc. And during the challenging economic times which many are facing today, staying connected to the One who continually provides and strengthens is crucial.
As I lean into a more simple and purposeful approach to life, these lessons of thanksgiving, contentment, and connection are not just religious cliches and verses to hang on my wall at home…they are words of life and truth to live out of each moment.
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